Trunnion edger and method of edging lumber

Abstract

Provided are a trunnion edger and a method of edging lumber using the trunnion edger. The trunnion edger includes a lineal edger frame, a pivotable saw box constructed to saw lumber within the lineal edger frame, a trunnion mount constructed outside the lineal edger frame for skewing the edger frame around a central axis and in relation to the lineal edger frame, an actuator for skewing the edger frame, and a computer in communication with the actuator

1 . A trunnion edger comprising:
 a lineal edger frame;   a pivotable saw box constructed to saw lumber within the lineal edger frame;   a trunnion mount constructed outside the lineal edger frame for skewing the saw box around a central axis and in relation to the lineal edger frame;   an actuator for skewing the saw box; and   a computer in communication with the actuator.   
     
     
         2 . The trunnion edger according to  claim 1 , wherein there is no pivot mount located below a central portion of the saw box. 
     
     
         3 . The trunnion edger according to  claim 1 , further comprising a conveyor constructed to convey lumber to the pivotable saw box. 
     
     
         4 . The trunnion edger according to  claim 3 , further comprising an infeed module constructed to stabilize the lumber during sawing and being connected to the computer. 
     
     
         5 . The trunnion edger according to  claim 1 , wherein the trunnion mount comprises bearing surfaces disposed on opposing sides of the lineal edger frame. 
     
     
         6 . The trunnion edger according to  claim 5 , wherein bearing surfaces comprise at least one of sliding surfaces, cam roll, bearings, or wheels. 
     
     
         7 . The trunnion edger according to  claim 5 , wherein bearing surfaces comprise slides that are free of grease and oil. 
     
     
         8 . The trunnion edger according to  claim 5 , wherein bearing surfaces comprise plastic plates. 
     
     
         9 . A method of cutting using a trunnion edger comprising:
 providing a trunnion edger comprising:
 a lineal edger frame; 
 a pivotable saw box constructed to saw lumber within the lineal edger frame; 
 a trunnion mount constructed outside the lineal edger frame for skewing the saw box around a central axis and in relation to the lineal edger frame; 
 an actuator for skewing the saw box; and 
 a computer in communication with the actuator; 
   measuring a lumber piece being conveyed on a conveyor using an optimizer connected to the computer;   skewing the saw box using the actuator; and   cutting the lumber piece using the saw box.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising using an infeed module to stabilize the lumber piece during cutting. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the optimizer determines a sawn solution and the computer skews the saw box to be perpendicular with the sawn solution. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein there is no pivot mount located below a central portion of the saw box. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the trunnion mount comprises bearing surfaces disposed on opposing sides of the lineal edger frame, the method comprising skewing the saw box on the bearing surfaces. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein bearing surfaces comprise at least one of sliding surfaces, cam roll, bearings, or wheels. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein bearing surfaces comprise slides that are free of grease and oil. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein bearing surfaces comprise plastic plates.